Anyone ready or game to buy & install either the new N20 JB Stage 1 from Burger Motorsports or AFE's Scorcher?

I had the BMS Powerbox from Burger in my E90 for 2 years without issue. A great boost for the 325i, so I'm sure the JB would be superb for the 328i.

I have read various posts on the N20 tuning threads and people who have bought & installed it are thrilled.

The good thing about the N20 units is how easy they are to install & uninstall. So you can enjoy additional power & torque - not that the 328i lacks it - with it installed but if you need to service the car at the dealer, easy enough to disconnect & remove.

I am keen on the tunes, like the BMS N20 one but I still want to wait around for something like COBB's flash tune to compare.

No doubt the BMS tune is great bang for buck, but I'm still holding out waiting for more stories/feedback first. I've had the BMS PBX in my E92 as well and it was great but I put that in after many many many other people had given their feedback/reviews/longer term use etc ...

If i was to mod, i would wait until someone like cobb came out with a flash tune. I had both procede and JB previous and none of them compared to the smoothness (and for me power) of the Cobb.

Cobb is also much easier to install and uninstall as it was all via the ODB port.

My thoughts are if you really want piggybacks, then to wait a little as the N20 is still relatively new hence the product development is not as far advanced. I would rather others test it out for a while until i can get enough documented proof of its performance and safety.

just my 2 cents.

Quote:

Originally Posted by David328M-Sport

Anyone ready or game to buy & install either the new N20 JB Stage 1 from Burger Motorsports or AFE's Scorcher?

I had the BMS Powerbox from Burger in my E90 for 2 years without issue. A great boost for the 325i, so I'm sure the JB would be superb for the 328i.

I have read various posts on the N20 tuning threads and people who have bought & installed it are thrilled.

The good thing about the N20 units is how easy they are to install & uninstall. So you can enjoy additional power & torque - not that the 328i lacks it - with it installed but if you need to service the car at the dealer, easy enough to disconnect & remove.

If i was to mod, i would wait until someone like cobb came out with a flash tune. I had both procede and JB previous and none of them compared to the smoothness (and for me power) of the Cobb.

Cobb is also much easier to install and uninstall as it was all via the ODB port.

My thoughts are if you really want piggybacks, then to wait a little as the N20 is still relatively new hence the product development is not as far advanced. I would rather others test it out for a while until i can get enough documented proof of its performance and safety.

just my 2 cents.

I'm waiting for a flash tune as well - Over the piggybacks.. (still have one sitting at home [Active Autowerkes] from when I went to Procede in the 135)

The minute there is a flash available - car would be dropped off at Southern BM for install.

Does these sort of tuning devices void warranty or mess with the driving dynamics?

warranty? well... if you have a piggyback type tune, leaving it in and/or having codes that indicate such tunes may make warranty claims related to drivetrain/engine etc a little harder if they're in plain sight. Also depends on the dealership and how much of an arse they want to be about it.

driving dynamics? "improved" is one word that should coem to mind after flashing or installing a tune.. lol

warranty? well... if you have a piggyback type tune, leaving it in and/or having codes that indicate such tunes may make warranty claims related to drivetrain/engine etc a little harder if they're in plain sight.

The beauty of these piggyback tuning units is they can be installed and removed very quickly - in minutes - as all wiring connections are around the engine and the electronics box can be mounted almost anywhere safely under the hood.

So if you need to take the unit off for dealer servicing/warranty work, you can do so very easily, then replace it after you get your car back.

These 2 tunes don't 'mess' with the driving dynamics, they enhance it.
J1n, both are relatively mild tunes and they are not worrying at all.

Based on my experience with BMS, I will probably buy a JB, just not sure when.

Going to weigh in a bit on this one. Constructive criticism all, I trust no one gets their back up. (commenting on tunes can make some people froth at the mouth...)

Quote:

Originally Posted by minijet

My thoughts coming from a modified 135i N54.

Not planning any engine mods for my 328i but...

If i was to mod, i would wait until someone like cobb came out with a flash tune. I had both procede and JB previous and none of them compared to the smoothness (and for me power) of the Cobb.

Cobb is also much easier to install and uninstall as it was all via the ODB port.

My thoughts are if you really want piggybacks, then to wait a little as the N20 is still relatively new hence the product development is not as far advanced. I would rather others test it out for a while until i can get enough documented proof of its performance and safety.

just my 2 cents.

well said, I agree. I proper, custom ECU tune is preferable to a piggy IMO, even given the advanced nature of the piggy's out there now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by J1n

Does these sort of tuning devices void warranty or mess with the driving dynamics?

Yes (Spikey's got it right in his reply) and you "gots to pay to play", and potentially yes. The BMS stuff for the N54 was very ham-fisted IMO, as it didn't deal with Timing until much later in the development piece instead relying on the DME to deal with it, which is in no way ideal, and well after their main competitors (Cobb and Vishnu).

It was a blunt-instrument type of tune, generally loved by people who like to drag-strip their cars. Before the haters and flamers come out, I acknowledge there's nothing wrong with that if that's your thing, I'll just opt for refinement and advanced techniques over a sledgehammer. Cheap, effective, but not something I'd run long-term. Had a JB4, sent it back after a week of testing and logging. Didn't look back.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spikey

warranty? well... if you have a piggyback type tune, leaving it in and/or having codes that indicate such tunes may make warranty claims related to drivetrain/engine etc a little harder if they're in plain sight. Also depends on the dealership and how much of an arse they want to be about it.

driving dynamics? "improved" is one word that should coem to mind after flashing or installing a tune.. lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by David328M-Sport

The beauty of these piggyback tuning units is they can be installed and removed very quickly - in minutes - as all wiring connections are around the engine and the electronics box can be mounted almost anywhere safely under the hood.

So if you need to take the unit off for dealer servicing/warranty work, you can do so very easily, then replace it after you get your car back.

These 2 tunes don't 'mess' with the driving dynamics, they enhance it.
J1n, both are relatively mild tunes and they are not worrying at all.

Based on my experience with BMS, I will probably buy a JB, just not sure when.

Sure, it's easy to remove, and you might even be able to remove it prior to servicing, but good luck removing the tuner codes that get flagged on your car. Yes, they exist. Given the local dealerships have increasing less authorisation (as a result of people modding and removing after something goes spang) to do a warranty repair you can come unstuck. The car is plugged in and diagnostics uploaded to BMW DE for analysis and approval in many cases, particularly drive-train related issues.

But hey, your car and your wallet, whatever you do with it is no one's issue but yours!

In closing, for those after more power and worry about warranty, the only and safest route to go is the BMW Power Kit when it eventually comes out coupled with the M Performance exhaust, which you'll probably have to import/ get through Stu. You won't be the quickest BMW out there (but you don't buy a 328i for that) but you'll have a thrilling machine nonetheless.

The real joy in this car is the handling for me. The engine is no slouch, but it's a great setup with the M Adaptive or M-sport. Any idiot can go fast in a straight line, but real drivers know how to use the big round thing their hands rest on

I know I'm looking forward to seeing what people do with their cars in the years ahead.

Sure, it's easy to remove, and you might even be able to remove it prior to servicing, but good luck removing the tuner codes that get flagged on your car. Yes, they exist. Given the local dealerships have increasing less authorisation (as a result of people modding and removing after something goes spang) to do a warranty repair you can come unstuck. The car is plugged in and diagnostics uploaded to BMW DE for analysis and approval in many cases, particularly drive-train related issues.

For those with the above valid concern, you could buy and install tune after warranty period finishes if it is a problem for anyone. No need to return to the dealer for service. Have SouthernBM (Melbourne) or your State's equivalent independent look after servicing from that time. Put any tune on the car you want with and without flags. Tuning's what SBM specialise in anyway and work very closely with BMW DE. Problem solved. Easy.

For those with the above valid concern, you could buy and install tune after warranty period finishes if it is a problem for anyone. No need to return to the dealer for service. Have SouthernBM (Melbourne) or your State's equivalent independent look after servicing from that time. Put any tune on the car you want with and without flags. Tuning's what SBM specialise in anyway and work very closely with BMW DE. Problem solved. Easy.

Next!

I'm not sure there was a problem to solve, but I'll give you +1 internet points anyway.